Effects of Red Ginseng Extracts on Response to Environmental Stress, Lifespan, and Parkinson’s Disease in Caenorhabditis elegans

Background: Cellular oxidative damage caused by reactive oxygen species, byproducts of intracellular metabolic processes, is considered a major causal factor of aging. Many anti-oxidant molecules have been studied for their anti-aging and lifespan-extending effects in various model organisms ranging from yeast to mice.BR/Methods and Results: This study examined the effects of red ginseng extract on the stress response, lifespan, and age-related diseases using Caenorhabditis elegans as a model system. Red ginseng extract shows anti-oxidant activity in vitro and in vivo. Resistance to heat stress and ultraviolet irradiation was also significantly enhanced by red ginseng extract. Treatment with a 1/10 dilution of red ginseng extracts increased the mean and maximum lifespans without reducing fertility, which is frequently observed in many lifespan-extending interventions. In a genetic model of Parkinson’s disease, red ginseng extract completely blocked the degeneration of dopaminergic neurons and decreased alpha-synuclein expression.BR/Conclusions: Red ginseng extracts have anti-stress and lifespan-extending effects, and can reduce the risk of Parkinson’s disease. These findings suggested that red ginseng is a strong candidate for the development of novel nutriceuticals against aging and Parkinson’s disease.